Search form

TRENDING:

Dem senator requests hearing on whether Whitaker violated Hatch Act

Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) is requesting that the Senate Judiciary Committee hold a hearing on acting Attorney General Matthew Whitaker's "conflicts of interest," including if he violated a federal law on political activities.

The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees in the executive branch from taking part in certain political activities.

"Our committee performs a critical oversight role over the Department of Justice. We are entitled to know whether the man leading it has conflicts of interest that impact his ability to do his job as the chief law enforcement officer of the United States with impartiality," Blumenthal wrote in the letter.

Democrats have widely panned Whitaker's appointment as acting attorney general, arguing it is a sign that Trump is paving the way to interfere in Mueller's investigation.

Blumenthal, in his letter Monday, argued that "troubling revelations" about Whitaker have surfaced since his appointment as acting attorney general that demand a congressional hearing.

Blumenthal pointed to Federal Election Commission (FEC) filings that show Whitaker received donations to his failed 2014 Senate campaign while he was serving as Sessions's chief of staff. The Office of Special Counsel told CNN last week that it was investigating whether Whitaker violated the Hatch Act.

"These payments at the very least call into question Mr. Whitaker’s impartiality as the chief law enforcement officer of the United States," Blumenthal added.

"If the Senate Judiciary Committee held confirmation hearings concerning Mr. Whitaker’s nomination, these are exactly the kinds of questions we would have an opportunity to ask him publicly, on the record, under oath," Blumenthal added.